Vietnam’s securitization of the 2014 oilrig crisis and its pursuit of political legitimacy

The article examines the concept of «national security» within the categorical framework of public administration, highlighting the absence of a universally accepted definition of «national security» and its role in public administration. It is emphasized that studying the concept of «national security» in the context of public administration is crucial for understanding and interpreting the «state policy of national security» strategy. This is also essential for ensuring that public security agencies meet security requirements and effectively address both current and potential threats to the formation and functioning of Ukrainian society. It is noted that, in the 21st century, global challenges and changes in the world order have led to increased attention on the concept of «national security». This concept is now viewed as a domain of public relations focused on preventing both real and potential threats to the state's national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It is noted that the conceptualization of the phenomenon known as «national security» within the public administration system can be characterized as a domain of public relations aimed at ensuring the foundational conditions for the functioning of individuals and society, while also protecting national values and interests from various threats. It is determined that the concept of «national security» has the following semantic dimensions: first, as a state of society that reflects the protection of the state's vital interests; second, as a political, legal, and organizational mechanism of public administration; third, as the state and level of protection afforded to individuals; and fourth, as the protection of fundamental national interests, which include: state sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, democratic constitutional order, and sustainable economic development. For future research, it is proposed to focus on the relationship between national security and globalization processes, particularly exploring how globalization impacts the national interests of states.

This study examines the complex connection between the US and China and how it directly impacts the territorial sovereignty of the Philippines in the South China Sea. Given the escalating tensions around disputed maritime features like the Spratly Islands and contested reefs, the Philippines faces significant challenges in maintaining its sovereign rights against China's expansive "nine-dash line" claims. The report highlights how China's aggressive maritime tactics, such conflicts with the coast guard and territorial incursions, jeopardize regional security and challenge the military and diplomatic responses of the Philippines.. Because of their combined military drills and security pledges to prevent coercion while preserving freedom of navigation, the United States and the Philippines have a strategic partnership that is essential to countering China's influence. The study does, however, also highlight the dangers of escalation and the necessity of practical diplomacy to prevent conflict. In order to present a thorough geopolitical study of how the US-China competition influences Philippine sovereignty and regional security architecture, this paper examines legal frameworks, such as the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 verdict, as well as changing military and civilian activities. With an emphasis on maritime conflicts in the South China Sea, this essay examines the effects of the current US-China competition on Philippine territorial sovereignty. It evaluates how the Philippines' sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and disputed features like Sandy Cay and the Spratly Islands are threatened by China's broad territorial claims and harsh enforcement strategies. China's denial of international legal standards stands in stark contrast to the Philippines' diplomatic posture, which was strengthened by the Permanent Court of Arbitration's 2016 decision in its favor. A strategic component is introduced by the United States' status as a treaty ally and security partner, since joint exercises and military cooperation are intended to offset China's increasing regional aggression. The study also assesses civilian attempts to preserve sovereignty and the Philippines' internal marine security cooperation. In the end, this research emphasizes how managing great power rivalry while preserving the Philippines' territorial integrity and fostering regional peace requires striking a careful balance between diplomacy and deterrence.

The purpose of the article is to determine the ways of improving the nationwide system of preventing and combating crimes encroaching on territorial integrity and constitutional system, national security. Methodology. The methodological basis of the article is the dialectical approach to the analysis of legal phenomena in Ukraine. The author of the work has used the method of formal logic: analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, analogy, abstraction, as well as statistical, system and structural, system and functional methods. The scientific novelty of the article is to consider the reasons for the ineffectiveness of the system of combating crimes against state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The current model of political activity is incapable to produce grounded and effective concepts of ensuring national security, in particular, in stabilizing the political situation in the country, combating separatism, resolving inter-religious and ethnic conflicts. The author has emphasized on the necessity to change the principles of the formation of the system of state agencies for ensuring national security, as well as to change the principles of selecting personnel to the leading positions of the subjects of special prevention of crimes in the mentioned sphere. It has been noted that the state of national security of Ukraine, its sovereignty and territorial integrity should be determined by the realization of the idea of national unity, blocking of separatist tendencies in certain regions, development of integration processes in the country.On the basiс of the conducted analysis, the author has offered the following understanding of combating crimes encroaching on territorial integrity and constitutional system, national security of Ukraine. Conclusions. Combating to the mentioned crimes according to the temporal characteristic is a continuous process, within which both social and special criminological measures are carried out simultaneously and at the same time, and which are aimed at neutralizing criminogenically determinative factors and directly at preventing and solving crimes. They ultimately are aimed at correcting criminogenic and quantitatively-qualitatevely minimization of criminal situation (on a district, regional or country level) and reducing the total physical, moral and material damage caused by crimes encroaching on the territorial integrity and constitutional system, national security of Ukraine.

At the present stage, Ukraine faces complex issues related to serious challenges to its State sovereignty and territorial integrity as a result of russian aggression. In this regard, the problems of national security, the search for ways and means to ensure it are of particular relevance. The solution to these problems implies, first of all, the definition of the foundations and principles of national security and defense, the goals and principles of State policy that will guarantee protection from threats to society and every citizen. With this in mind, the aim of this study is to analyze and generalize the regulatory and organizational support of Ukraine’s national security in order to identify shortcomings and develop proposals for its improvement. Based on the analysis of the current legislative and legal frameworks for regulating the development of the national security and defense system of Ukraine, the need to amend and supplement a number of regulations has been proved, taking into account the peculiarities of the legal regime of martial law. It is found that some strategic documents do not fully meet the modern requirements for the functioning of the security and defense sector and do not take into account military risks and threats. As a result of the study, it is determined that for the formation and development of the system of ensuring national security, it is necessary to develop the Conception (Fundamentals) of National Security of Ukraine as a State document that reflects the general idea for the implementation of the State policy in this direction. This conceptual document should define interests, factors that pose threats to national interests and security, areas of activity to protect vital interests and countering the contemporary threats and challenges. While pursuing its objectives, it should include the following constituent elements: identification of objects and subjects of threats to national security in modern conditions; determination of objects of protection; a mechanism for identifying the vital interests of the country, spheres and features of their implementation; identification of subjects whose activities harm the vital interests of the individual, society and the State; determination of signs that indicate the commission of actions that harm the vital national interests of the State; determination of the main factors and conditions prevailing in the field of security; analysis of the features and mechanisms of harm to vital interests; determining the competence and relationships of bodies that carry out activities to ensure national security; formation of a set of measures for the implementation of vital interests in all spheres of life of society; activities to counter threats and localize their consequences (development and implementation of operational and long-term measures to prevent, detect and forecast internal and external threats, as well as neutralize the sources of their origin). In addition, it is expedient to elaborate the Doctrine of National Security of Ukraine as a set of official views on the purpose, functions, principles and methods of ensuring the national security of Ukraine in a specific spheres of life of society (for example, in the military, defense, economic, energy spheres, etc.). Taking into account the best world practices (the experience of Great Britain or the Netherlands), it is necessary to pay special attention to the formation of a system for assessing risks and threats to the national security of Ukraine. For this purpose, it is necessary to develop such regulatory documents as the «National Risk Profile», «National Register of Risks of Emergencies in the Field of Civil Protection», etc. The article builds a structural and logical scheme of the formation of the system of ensuring national security of Ukraine, which allows determining and delimiting the powers of various State structures and bodies in the spheres of national security and defense.

Facing mounting security threats posed by China in the South China Sea (SCS), Vietnam has put China’s assertiveness under a securitization process. Vietnam frames China’s assertiveness in the disputed water as a threat to its national security and national sovereignty. On the one hand, urgent measures have been taken to counter China’s assertiveness in the SCS, but on the other hand, Hanoi avoids worsening the relations with Beijing. Vietnam’s nuanced securitization of China’s assertiveness, accordingly, does not go beyond the limit of ‘cooperation ad struggle’ towards China. Nationalism plays an important role in Vietnam’s nuanced securitization of China’s assertiveness in the contested water. The Vietnamese government employs nationalism to call for public support; however, it also tries to curb on the anti-China sentiment to stabilize the relations with China. Through securitization of China’s assertiveness in the SCS, the Vietnamese government aims at strengthening its political legitimacy.

The main task nowadays is to find strategies to ensure a high level of national security. Assurance of the state security must be based on a democratically developed society, guaranteeing of a high level of rights and freedoms of the population, as well as inheritance of European values. National security is intertwined with geopolitics in such terms as state sovereignty, geopolitical role of the country, its geopolitics and geostrategy, the correlation of universal human and national interests, etc. From the scientific point of view, national security of Ukraine can be defined as a system of state and legal as well as social guarantees of living stability and stability of development of the Ukrainian people in general and each citizen in particular, protection of their basic values and legitimate interests, sources of spiritual and material development from possible real and potential, internal and external threats. It is the national security of the state that enables effective management of a transforming society, and this is the most relevant aspect in the current conditions in Ukraine. Political and legal methods and tools, which are based on the basic principles of complexity and systematics, are fundamental factors of national state security. Ukraine's geopolitical location turns it into a kind of geopolitical center - a state that performs communicative functions between two regional systems. Thus, the geopolitical center is a kind of territory of intermediate location, which in its own way is passive, and can be activated at any time in its own interests. The geopolitical component of national security involves preserving sovereignty, territorial integrity and defining its role in the geopolitical space, while ensuring a balance of power through international political, military-political, legal, economic and humanitarian institutions.

For China’s national security, sea and land boundary relations with its neighbours are essential. The dispute and tension about conflicting assertions of sovereignty in the South China Sea (SCS) and East China Sea (ECS) have significantly escalated in the last 10 years. The SCS and ECS hold considerable geopolitical importance, influencing China’s diplomatic ties with neighbouring nations. China has reinforced its assertion in the SCS based on the nine-dash line, prioritising it as a central emphasis. Additionally, China has constructed military and civilian infrastructure on contested islands and waterways, demonstrating a progressively assertive position regarding its territorial claims. Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei claim sovereignty over some parts of the South China Sea, either fully or partially, based on their respective interpretations of historical usage and international law in China’s counterpart. However, China and Japan claim possession of a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea (ECS) that they call the Senkaku Islands in Japan and the Diaoyu Islands in China. Thus, China frequently experiences escalating tensions with its neighbouring countries, resulting in military tensions and diplomatic issues. Regarding international waters and borders, China is considering both military and non-military strategies to strengthen its national security. As a result, China’s growing military and global political clout worries some other countries. Therefore, the assertions of sovereignty made by China and its neighbouring countries in the SCS and ECS compel them to acquire both defensive and offensive military capabilities.

National Interest to a particular country is often shaped and prioritized by various variables including independence, distinctiveness, territorial integrity and socio-cultural determinants. Nepal’s national interest depends on thesecurity vision in the aftermath of violent conflict, development initiatives based on utilization of available natural resources and state policies for assuring inclusiveness, social cohesion and justice. Nepal experienced a ten years long armed conflict since 1996 to 2006 that affected a range of social, political and economic dimensions along with security apparatus of the country. Though the fundamental attributes of national interest such as territorial and political sovereignty and the core values remain constant, security policy and strategies are found to be evolving in the nascent democracy often shaped by the ability to identify security threats. With the aim of developing a causal relationship between national interest and security vision, security policy, identification of security threats, quantitative analysis is conducted by adopting SPSS and Karl Pearson’s Correlation tools. Moreover, Nepal’s new security policy has been analyzed in the aftermath of violent conflict. This paper draws the conclusion that higher the ability of political leaders to identify the security vision, the achievement of national interest is higher. This also depicts if security vision is closely linked with the political values the promotion of national interest is high. Setting the context on political change and the security strategy, it is admitted that new form of government induces additional security concern which if not identified may challenge the means of ensuring national security.

Vietnam's interests in the South China Sea may be divided into traditional national security interests, and interests linked to the broader category of human security. This article examines Vietnam's policy in the South China Sea and its use of the Law of the Sea. Vietnam has doggedly upheld its claim to the whole of the Paracel and Spratly areas (Hoang Sa and Truong Sa) and has spent considerable resources in modernizing its naval and air forces. However, there seems to be a move away from a narrow focus on national security to a more broad-based concern for human security. This is connected with a trend towards a greater regional, less nationalist approach, which may give Vietnam a key role in resolving the multiple disputes in the South China Sea. Introduction The disputes in the South China Sea form a permanent threat to Vietnam's national security, to its full integration with the rest of ASEAN, and to farther improvement of its relationship with China. [1] The disputes also threaten regional security and the interests of the populations around the South China Sea, who need to be protected against typhoons, floods, pollution, depletion of fish stocks, piracy, and war. The manner in which Hanoi handles the situation in the South China Sea may have a significant impact on the living conditions of the Vietnamese, and for their country's regional role. Vietnam's aims in the South China Sea may be divided into traditional national security concerns, and aims linked to the broader category of human and regional security. Under the first category are aims such as defending the long S-shaped coast against invasion, defending the sovereignty of the Paracels (Hoang Sa) and the Spratlys (Truong Sa), gaining exclusive control of resources on and under Vietnam's continental shelf, as well as living resources in the sea out to 200 nautical miles, collecting customs duties, and suppressing smuggling, piracy and other illegal activities within Vietnam's 12-nautical mile territorial waters. [2] As long as no formal agreements have been reached on the delimitation of maritime boundaries, attempts to pursue these aims tend to generate conflict between Vietnam and the other nations around the South China Sea. Under the second category are aims such as defending the population against typhoons, protecting mangrove swamps, securing fish stocks for future generations, halting the destruction of coral reefs, preventing pollution, facing the eventuality of major oil spills, building modern and secure ports, maintaining open communications securing regional peace, attracting serious oil companies to explore for oil and gas, and facilitating international trade and investments. These aims entail a need for regional and international co-operation. The means in pursuit of the traditional national security interests are not necessarily effective in achieving human and regional security. National security may be pursued by maintaining considerable military capabilities, entering into alliances with other powers, and conducting nationalistic propaganda domestically and internationally. These means are costly and can lead to a deterioration in relations with neighbouring states, thus endangering human security. In pursuing human security for its population, the Vietnamese Government is finding other means more useful, such as bilateral and multilateral diplomacy, international co-operation in resource management and environmental protection, and activities to further develop an internationally recognized legal regime, on the basis of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). UNCLOS was signed in 1982 and entered into force in November 1994, one year after the sixtieth state had ratified it. This article will test the hypothesis that there is a gradual movement in Vietnamese policy away from a narrow focus on national security to a more broad-based concern for human security. …

Purpose: the purpose of the article is to point out particularities, drawbacks, as well as give propositions as to efficient reforming Military service of Justice into Military police grounding on the analysis of laws in force, legal literature and international experience. Methods of research: the methodological base of research is the following general and special methods of perception – dialectical method of scientific learning of reality, analysis, synthesis, systematic structural method, as well as comparative legal and formal logical methods. Results: as a result of scientific search the international practice of forming military police has been studied, as well as the possibilities of its using in Ukraine, also the directions of improvement of normative and legal provision of military police’s activity have been determined. Discussion: national and state security is provided by the system of state bodies which activity is meant to protect social and state system (constitutional order), state independence (state sovereignty), territorial integrity (untouchability of the borders), military (defensive), economical, scientific and technical potential. Supporting national security is one of the main functions of a society and state. Constituent elements of national security is also a social security, legal order and more narrow branches of social relations in the area of national security, such as: safety of labour, safety of traffic, aviation safety, informational safety, safety of food, regional safety etc. as well as main directions of state policy in the sphere of state security defined by the Law of Ukraine «About National Security of Ukraine». Ukraine’s Constitution, article 17, proclaims that providing state security and defense of a state border relies on the corresponding legal bodies, also on the military force which organization and order of activity are specified by law.

The purpose of the article is to analyse the foreign experience in protecting State sovereignty and territorial integrity and feasibility of its application in Ukraine.Results.The author proves the need for scientific research on the foreign experience in protecting State sovereignty and territorial integrity.It is noted that each State has formulated its own special approach to protecting State sovereignty and territorial integrity due to: first, the specifics of historical and legal development of each individual State; second, its social, economic and political development; and third, the geographical location of the State.The author summarises the experience in protecting the State sovereignty and territorial integrity of the leading European countries, in particular, Great Britain, Germany and France.The author argues that these countries' membership in the European Union and the United Nations has a significant impact on the development of their legislation.The author offers his own vision of possible trends in implementing the most positive foreign experience in protecting State sovereignty and territorial integrity in the national realities.Conclusions.To sum up, the following foreign experience in protecting State sovereignty and territorial integrity in the Ukrainian state is most appropriate: 1) Ukraine should bring its domestic legislation in line with the requirements of the European Union in the field of protection of State sovereignty and territorial integrity as soon as possible, as the experience of a number of European countries shows that their legislation is based on the principles of sovereignty enshrined in the EU's regulatory sources; 2) The Ukrainian legislator should review the organisational structure of the system of entities whose activities are aimed at protecting the State sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; 3) It is advisable to create an effective mechanism of interaction between the relevant actors; 4) It is necessary to adopt the experience of states in terms of full financial and logistical support of the relevant agencies; 5) It is essential to develop an effective Strategy for the protection of State sovereignty and territorial integrity, which has been effectively implemented in leading countries, for example, the UK.

The article is devoted to the analysis of existing scientific approaches, current legislation of Ukraine and the practice of its implementation regarding the essence and features of the administrative and legal status of law enforcement agencies as subjects of ensuring the national security of the state. It is noted that the national security of Ukraine is of extremely important importance for protecting state sovereignty, territorial integrity, democratic constitutional order, and the rights and interests of citizens from real and potential threats. It was emphasized that law enforcement agencies occupy an important place in the system of subjects of national security, since their activities are related to the prevention, suppression, disclosure and investigation of criminal and other offenses in general, as well as those that encroach on public relations in the field of national security. It is noted that the analysis of current legislation allows us to assert the absence of a comprehensive list of law enforcement agencies at the legislative level, as well as the definition of «law enforcement agencies» itself with a clear description of this agency, a meaningful definition of its legal status and features of its activities. It is stated that the Security Service of Ukraine has a number of responsibilities regarding the protection of state sovereignty, constitutional order, territorial integrity, economic, defense, scientific and technical potential of Ukraine, protection of state secrets, countering terrorism, which involves conducting counterintelligence activities to prevent, detect, stop, and expose any forms of intelligence and subversive activities against Ukraine. It is emphasized that a special place in the system of law enforcement agencies that ensure the formation and implementation of state policy in the field of national security and defense belongs to the prosecution authorities, which is due to the specifics of the work of the entity, determined by the norms of current legislation. Among all law enforcement agencies, these entities are vested by the legislator with special powers that are not characteristic of others.

Recent deep-sea benthic foraminiferal distributions in the South China and Sulu Seas

Japan’s view of the territorial disputes in the South China Sea is intricately linked to its own dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Amid deteriorating Sino-Japanese relations and strains over the bilateral territorial row in the past few years, Tokyo’s political elites have become increasingly concerned about Beijing’s growing confidence and assertiveness in its foreign policy. From their perspective, China is pursuing a strategy of creeping expansionism in the maritime domain by challenging the territorial status quo of islands in the South and East China Seas. In its national security planning, Japan is thus seeking to discourage Chinese assertiveness in the East Asian region. As the paper shows, the US-Japan alliance continues to play a key role in Japanese strategic thinking, but it is no longer viewed as sufficient in ensuring security and stability for Japan in the region, particularly vis-a-vis China. The paper demonstrates two areas in which Tokyo is making greater efforts to supplement the alliance’s deterrence function: Firstly, it is enhancing its military ability to discourage and respond to Chinese provocations around the Senkaku Islands, although efforts are constrained by budgetary limits. Secondly, Japan is diversifying its security relations with regional countries, thereby seeking to demonstrate to China that it is not indifferent to Beijing’s provocations in the South China Sea. The paper draws on a content analysis of Japan’s newest security strategy documents (the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Program Guidelines, both issued in December 2013) as well as recent (Japanese language) papers and commentary by Japanese security experts.

This research paper attempts to analyze the ongoing territorial disputes between China and various ASEAN countries occurring in the South China Sea, and it highlights detrimental effects of these disputes on the political and military stability of the ASEAN region. The paper contends that China’s military excursion into the southern part of the South China Sea, which occurred earlier this year, appears to be in symbiosis with its increased economic influence over the ASEAN region. Although numerous political and military threats have directly contributed to the creation of ASEAN, the unparalleled economic rise of China spanning the past four decades in general, and China’s remodeling into the single largest trading partner of ASEAN over the past decade in particular, have presented ASEAN with both a unique security challenge as well as an inescapable economic dilemma: How to defend the regional bloc’s territorial integrity without upsetting its strategic economic partner? The paper also indicates that China’s assertive behavior with regard to the South China Sea territorial disputes will only intensify in the post-pandemic environment, emboldened by the enormous economic ties it has constructed with its Southeast Asian partners. Lastly, the paper argues that ASEAN’s sole prospect of defending its territorial integrity in the South China Sea depends on the ability of its member states to find a unified stance over this issue. This, however, will not be feasible without seeking a deeper integration among ASEAN countries. The paper relies primarily on historical, comparative political, economic, and military analysis.